As threats ranging from climate change to rapid urbanization imperil cultural heritage worldwide, Chinese and international officials, diplomats and scholars gathered in Yuci Ancient City, a cultural hub in Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, on July 15 to open a week-long forum on heritage protection, with speakers calling for deeper cross-border cooperation.    

The opening ceremony was guided by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of the China (CPC) Shanxi Provincial Committee and China International Communications Group (CICG), jointly hosted by Shanxi Daily and the CICG Center for Americas, and organized by the Shanxi International Communications Center.  

Zhang Biyong, member of the Standing Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanxi Provincial Committee, declared the event, officially known as the “Unity for Prosperity, Heritage for Eternity” International Cultural Heritage Protection Week, open. 

Among those attending the opening ceremony were Yu Yunquan, Vice President of CICG; Song Wei, executive deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanxi Provincial Committee; Liu Xing, Secretary of the CPC Jinzhong Municipal Committee; Xin Feng, President of the CICG Center for Americas; and Zhang Yu, President of Shanxi Daily. They delivered opening remarks alongside keynote speakers including Md. Nazmul Islam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to China; Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, Associate Professor of International Law at the Fluminense Federal University of Brazil and recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award; and Wang Xiaoyi, Director of the Shanxi Museum. 

Diplomats from Jordan, North Macedonia, the Maldives, Latvia, Bangladesh and the Central African Republic, together with representatives of international organizations, overseas sinologists, museum professionals, cultural heritage experts, international communication specialists and media representatives, also attended the ceremony. 

In his opening remarks, Yu Yunquan said, “As an ancient civilization, China has always made cultural heritage preservation a priority in passing on its civilizational legacy. In May, during his meeting with Khaled El-Enany, Director General of UNESCO, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to promote cultural heritage preservation and cultural exchange and mutual learning. China has put forward and earnestly delivered on the Global Civilizations Initiative, which advocates valuing civilizational inheritance and innovation and helps build a closer knit global network for intercivilizational cooperation.” 

Yu Yunquan speaks at the opening ceremony of the “Unity for Prosperity, Heritage for Eternity” International Cultural Heritage Protection Week in Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, on July 15  

“And as a comprehensive global communications institution, CICG is committed to facilitating people-to-people exchange and mutual learning between China and the rest of the world. We stand ready to deepen partnerships with all stakeholders, working hand in hand as inheritors of civilizations, innovators of cultural outreach and champions of intercivilizational understanding,” he added.   

Liu Xing said Jinzhong boasts 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, 500 years of culture of Jin merchants culture, 5,539 immovable cultural heritage sites and 69 nationally protected cultural relic sites. Shanxi is also officially known by the one-character name Jin. 

Liu Xing addresses the opening ceremony

He added, "Jinzhong will take this event as a bridge for dialogue among civilizations, showcasing its profound cultural heritage and open, inclusive spirit to the world." 

He said he hopes people around the world will come to know Shanxi and better understand China through Jinzhong, contributing to mutual learning and exchanges among civilizations. 

Xin Feng noted that Shanxi, often described as "a museum of ancient Chinese architecture without walls," plays a unique role in preserving China's cultural heritage. “As a specialized institution for international communication, CICG Americas takes as its core mission telling authentic Chinese stories and fostering mutual understanding between civilizations,” he said. “Drawing on our professional expertise in international communication, we will strive to document civilizational dialogue, build collaborative platforms and unite young talents. We will continuously deepen exchange and cooperation on cultural heritage conservation between China and other countries, sharing China’s heritage preservation stories, wisdom and solutions to fuel the flourishing of civilizations around the world.” 

Xin Feng addresses the opening ceremony 

Zhang Yu said Shanxi Daily has long been committed to documenting and promoting the province's cultural heritage while strengthening its international communication capacity through multilingual platforms. “Since its official launch on April 26, 2024, the Shanxi International Communications Center, operating under Shanxi Daily, has been working to strengthen its global outreach capabilities. It has established a multilingual media platform and crafted a cultural identity for Shanxi that is distinctive and globally visible,” he said.  

Zhang Yu addresses the opening ceremony

Speaking as one of the keynote speakers, Ambassador Md. Nazmul Islam noted that cultural heritage is not merely a record of the past; it is a living source of identity, wisdom and inspiration for future generations. He said, “Shanxi's remarkable cultural resources are globally admired. The province’s pioneering efforts in digitalization, targeted protection mechanisms for national treasures, archaeological research and community participation provide valuable experiences for the international community.” Looking ahead, he called for closer cooperation between China and Bangladesh in heritage conservation, including exchanges on historic building restoration, joint archaeological research, digital heritage development and professional exchanges, to better safeguard the rich cultural heritage of both countries. 

Md. Nazmul Islam delivers a keynote speech 

Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, then, said cultural heritage around the world faces several threats, including climate change, armed conflicts, illicit trafficking of cultural property, mass tourism, urban expansion and increasingly rapid technological transformation. 

“These challenges require us to protect monuments, and also to rethink the relationship between culture, innovation, and international cooperation," he said. 

Evandro Menezes de Carvalho delivers a keynote speech 

"China has accumulated valuable experience in balancing modernization with heritage conservation. Brazil, too, possesses remarkable expertise in protecting both tangible and intangible heritage, ranging from its historic colonial cities to indigenous knowledge systems, Afro-Brazilian traditions and diverse cultural landscapes," he added.  

Noting that this year is the China-Brazil Year of Culture, he said it offers "an exceptional opportunity."  

"Several initiatives have been developing this year. But beyond artistic exchanges, we should promote institutional cooperation in heritage governance."   

Wang Xiaoyi said the core spirit of China's cultural heritage protection lies in "staying true to our own cultural identity while embracing the finest achievements of all human civilizations with openness and inclusiveness." 

Wang Xiaoyi delivers a keynote speech

He added that Shanxi, as the heartland of Yellow River culture, has always been committed to using cultural heritage as "a bridge for dialogue among civilizations."  

"This cross-cultural dialogue, spanning mountains and seas, has not only helped the world better understand Yellow River culture and Shanxi, but has also given us valuable insights from global heritage conservation practices, injecting new vitality into our own efforts to safeguard our civilizational roots." 

During the ceremony, a group of scholars and professionals were appointed as experts for the Shanxi International Communications Center Think Tank. Guests also watched The Light of Yungang, a large-scale projection mapping show inspired by the Yungang Grottoes, which date back to the fifth century, offering an immersive experience of one of China's most celebrated World Heritage sites and its long history of cultural exchange. 

The opening ceremony in session  

Centered on cultural heritage protection, the week-long event aims to bring together experts and practitioners from around the world, foster dialogue among civilizations, and explore new approaches to preserving humanity's shared cultural legacy. 

The Light of Yungang projection mapping show  

The event’s program further included roundtable discussions, academic lectures, field visits and themed exhibitions, providing a platform for international exchange on heritage conservation and cultural cooperation. 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon  

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